Centaurs Open League With Win

Coming off a tough loss to Southern California power Bishop Amat two weeks ago, the Culver City High football team was in need of a confidence-boosting game.

The Centaurs got just what they needed in their Ocean League opener as they routed lowly Hawthorne, 47-0, at home last Friday night.

Culver City, which improved to 4-2 overall, gained 404 total yards — including 289 rushing — while holding the Cougars (1-5) to just 54 total yards on 49 plays.

“Our defense was terrific,” Centaurs coach Jahmal Wright said. “We were coming off a tough loss, but our seniors set the tone in practice during the week. We haven’t won the Ocean League since 2009, and the guys were really focused on getting off to a good start in league play.”

Sophomore running back Donovan Davis scored two touchdowns for Culver City, including a, 18-yard run in the first quarter and a 73-yard run in the third. Davis gained 140 yards and the two scores on just six carries.

Cuevas completed 10 of 15 passes for 123 yards and a TD and also ran for 69 yards and a TD, while Wilson ran for 51 yards and a TD on four carries. Justin Montgomery caught three passes for 71 yards and Wilson caught three for 23.

Culver City’s defense, which forced four interceptions and a fumble, was led by Keishawn Haley, who had 17 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss; Deon Young, who had 11 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss; Sean Floyd, who had six tackles and two interceptions; and Norman, who had four tackles, two interceptions and caused a fumble.

Even though they were playing against an inferior opponent, the Centaurs gained from the victory, Wright said.

“We improved on both sides of the ball,” Wright said. “We ran the ball well, and our defense was great. Xan is improving as a quarterback week to week. He made good decisions, and didn’t have any turnovers.”

Culver City now begins to get into the tough part of the league schedule, as the Centaurs travel to Inglewood this Friday and are at Santa Monica the following week. Santa Monica won the Ocean League title last season, and Inglewood won it in 2010, and those two teams are currently tied with Culver City with 1-0 league marks, so those two teams are likely the biggest obstacles to the Centaurs regaining the league crown.

Inglewood (4-2) has won four in a row, including a 41-7 victory over Beverly Hills last week. Santa Monica had lost three straight non-league games before beginning league play with a 35-20 win at Morningside.